The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1887-08-20
NUMBER TO-,
Or
ANOTHER MANS Crime.
by
The Author Of The Rokewood Tragedy
The Fenton Girls, "Allthorpe" Etc.
CHAPTER Ill

1t was six o'clock and Christmas morn
ing. rainy, sloppy morning at that,
with more than a suspicion of chilliness in
the stiff wind that came sweeping down the
highways and bvways Of the city.
1t was early still. The prison clock had
not vet tolled off the hour of SIX, though
it was on the verge of doing so.
Early though it was, the Warden was astir,
ard with lamp in one hand and his KEYS
in the other had mounted the iron stairs
leading to tier of cells on the second floor
The gray light of early dawn was strug-
Cling in through the narrow windows, as
the Warden looked down the long pace
between the cells.
guard was pacing sleepily up and down
the corridor.
Here, commanded the Warden, gruffly;
come with me to cell No. 10. I've some
rare news for him this morning"
Hope it amt nothing so rare 'twon t
keep till breakfast time, mgttered the
guard, with grim humor.
Ill be bound it's news he least expects, ("
returned the Warden, stopping before a
door and fitting key into the lock And
look-a- here, guard, maybe you'd better
hang round somewhere near about, so as to
make yourself handy in case of an emer-
gency You see, I've no sort of an idea
how he's going to take it.
Lord calculated the guard openin g
his mild, light eyes; its bad news, then, Is
il
The Warden did not reply. The cell door
swung open. disclosing the prisoner, al
ready dressed and seated upon his cot.
Mornin', No. 10" said the Warden,
cheerfully, and merry Christmas to
you.
Thank you. replied the prisoner, not
ungratefully, "and the same to you, sir, if |
may be so bold as to say SO.
The Warden was glancing about the cell
with wary eye, evidently disappointed at
not seeing something he had expected to
see.
"Ho," he calculated; you didn't do it,
after ALL did YOU"
The Or soner turned a deathly pallor
Il don't understand, SAID he, family
His lips were llyid and his teeth chat
tered
Didn't | give You a hint yesterday to
prepare for Santa Claus in the usual way
And to the best of my belief you haven I
made solitary preparation.
The color came back to the prisoners
face He even smiled
IN too old now to believe in the myth
chi Santa. ana besides have no friends to
&C, he character.
"Dolt be too confident about that, "
groNed the Warden, plunging his hands
into he pocket of his Jacket, and produc-
my two parcels Don't be too sure about
tuat, fer I've IN Idea that q be a pretty
fair old Santa Claus myself on pit ch. you
know In fact. I've come here this morn
Iug "a wish You u merry Christmas, and
give YOU something you've wanted ever
since you came into the prison. Brace up,
Ne lH. I've news for YOU.
News for me?'
Good news, cried the Warden, loosely
lifting the parcel in the lamp light How
10 have you been here No 10, do you
know
For answer the prisoner pointed dumbly
10 the prison wall
Eleven marks done in charcoal made an
even row against the gray background of
the cell
One mark for every year that have oc-
cupled this room, said he, bitterly
lie Warden put thumb and finger on
each mark, as he carefully counted them
over.
Only leyen Of EN-. turning, quizzical
~. to No. 10. only leyeu. when there
should be eighteen. You're down on the
books for eighteen years; you know you
are
i have been here but eleven, no matter
what The books say
Well, leyen or eighteen, no matter
which, said the cheerful Warden. ANY
fhIn- to please yen. suppose we Just say
ieyen Of EN-, and the Inst Of en-. What
DO You think of that. No. l02"
Ne. - shut his eyes and groaned aloud.
" INIT mockery -7
ush. Listen 70 me, viii YOU? l al
WAYS told You something would happen tc
you, and, by George I'm a true prophet
Yesterday the something actually hap
penrd a. I've expected it would
II must have been extraordinary if il
concerned me. said the prisoner, wildly
vt precisely four clock Yesterday.
Vent - The Warden, uuheeding the inter
rupt on. i received this packet, with in.
stsu.tIaas to place il IN the hands Of Con.
wet Ne. In, At six o'clock on Christina:
N rnng.
4 deep, sonorous sound broke the still.
ness.
One
!; vas the prison clock, striking ii,
hour
Unknown to You. No. 10. after tina
ou.l eak last fall, when Won SO brsvel,
helped the Official, l. 4ueli the worst t.
Two!
Worst rebellion that ever took plac,
inside OF prison wallis